The Waltham News Tribune reports that, following multiple infractions, the liquor license held by Paisano Restaurant and Bar on High Street was suspended for seven days, unless the owners pay a monetary penalty instead.
License Commission chairman Wayne Brasco told the paper that liquor licenses are a privilege and Paisano’s were “frequent abusers of that privilege.”
One incident motivating the suspension, said Brasco, occurred when a police officer tried to arrest a person involved in a disturbance and it ended in a scuffle outside the restaurant.
The restaurant “did not respond too quickly to help the officer that was in jeopardy,” said Brasco. Someone at Paisano should have called 911, he said, because it is the restaurant’s responsibility as licensee.
Brasco also said a man fell asleep at the bar this year. The restaurant did not try to revive him until closing time, he said, and couldn’t get him out of the building. Paisano has appeared before the License Commission at least four times this year for infractions, Brasco said. The license will be suspended from Nov. 1 through Nov. 7.
The restaurant is also required to close at 11 p.m. for 30 days and its entertainment license was suspended for 60 days. The restaurant offers live music, according to its website.
Brasco said the restaurant could also pay a cash fine in lieu of the suspensions.
